Detachable Carrying Handle For Firearm WIth Increased Range

ABSTRACT

A detachable carrying handle for a firearm, such as a semi-automatic or automatic firearm, having increased range. The detachable carrying handle includes a carrying handle body that defines a window to receive a rear sight base of a rear sight. The carrying handle body further includes a pin opening positioned below the window that is configured to secure the rear sight base of the rear sight to the carrying handle body through the use of a pin. The rear sight base further defines a sight opening and a threaded end that is configured to mate with a threaded opening of an elevation knob positioned in the window. The elevation knob may be used, in operation, to adjust the height of the rear sight. The threaded end of the rear sight base further includes at least one elongated slot that are configured to receive the pin that is used to secure the rear sight base to the carrying handle body. The detachable carrying handle of the present invention provides a solution to the problems of limited range of known firearms using a rear sight mounted to the carrying handle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional Application claims benefit to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/703,949 filed Jul. 29, 2005, which isincorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to firearms and more specifically to adetachable carrying handle for use with firearms, including withoutlimitation for use with semi-automatic and automatic firearms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Semi-automatic and automatic firearms are known, having been usedextensively for recreational and military purposes. While such firearmshave numerous objectives, several important objectives includereliability, range and accuracy.

To provide increased accuracy, firearms can be equipped with a frontsight system 10 and a rear sight system 50, as illustrated by thepartial depiction of a firearm 5 in FIG. 1. By aligning front and rearsights, the direction of a fired bullet can be more accuratelypredicted. As is known, however, a particular setting of the sightingsystem is only accurate for a particular range of distances because abullet drops as it travels forward due to the effects of gravity.Therefore, mechanical sighting systems are basically a prediction of theexpected bullet trajectory and match the actual bullet trajectory for acertain range of distances. When the sights are non-adjustable, theymust be aimed further and further above the intended target as thedistance to the target increases, making the firearm more difficult toaccurately aim. This is especially problematic when attempt to aim atdistant targets if the sights accurately predict the bullets trajectoryat shorter distances, for a user may have to aim far enough above thetarget so as to make it difficult to determine if the sights areactually aligned with the target. To compensate for this, certaindesigns have allowed for a limited amount of adjustment in the positionof the sights. For example, by raising or lowering the rear sight, thedistance at which the predicted bullet trajectory matches the actualbullet trajectory increases or decreases, respectfully. Conversely, byraising or lowering the front sight, the distance that the predictedtrajectory will match the actual bullet trajectory decreases orincreases, respectfully.

While sights can be mounted as stand alone units, conventional automaticor semiautomatic firearms can be configured to include a carrying handlethat includes a rear sight. The carrying handle allows the firearm to bereadily carried with one hand while the rear sight may be used, alongwith the front sight, to align the firearm's barrel with the target, asdiscussed above. In certain configurations, the rear sight that wasmounted to the carrying handle could provide a limited amount ofadjustment. Therefore, a user may adjust the position of the rear sight(i.e., “sight in” the firearm) so that a bullet fired from the firearmhits the target at the desired location (i.e., the sight's predictedtrajectory matches the bullet's actual trajectory). For example, it isknown that a rear sight mounted to a carrying handle could be adjusted,in combination with a front sight adjustment, to allow the firearm tohit a target accurately from 50 yards (or less) up to 600 yards.However, current combination handle and sight systems do not allow, forexample, a user to accurately aim at a target that is 200 yards awayand, with only adjustments to the rear sight, still be able toaccurately aim the firearm at a target that is a distance of 600 yardsaway. This is because the range of vertical travel that is allowed forthe rear sight is insufficient to predict a bullet trajectory at shorteras well as longer distances. Therefore, the theoretical effective rangeof the firearm can exceed the sighting system's ability to predict thebullet's trajectory for a given setting of the front sight.

Consequently, there exists a need in the art for a carrying handle for afirearm that includes a rear sight that allows the predicted trajectoryof a fired bullet to match the actual trajectory of a fired bullet overa greater range. The present invention addresses these and other knowndrawbacks with existing firearms and the limited range provided whenusing a rear sight mounted to the carrying handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore can provide a solution to the problemsof limited range of known carrying handle/rear sight combinations. Anembodiment of the invention includes a detachable carrying handle for afirearm, such as a semi-automatic and automatic firearm, having anattached rear sight that allows the predicted trajectory to match theactual trajectory over an increased range of distances.

More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment a firearm that includes adetachable carrying handle that further comprises a carrying handle bodythat defines a window to receive a rear sight base of a rear sight. Thecarrying handle body further includes a pin opening positioned below thewindow that is configured to mount the rear sight base of the rear sightto the carrying handle body through the use of a pin. The rear sightbase further defines a sight opening and a threaded end that isconfigured to mate with a threaded opening of an elevation knobpositioned in the window. The elevation knob may be used to adjust theheight of the rear sight. The threaded end of the rear sight basefurther includes at least one elongated slot that is configured toreceive the pin that is used to secure the rear sight base to thecarrying handle body.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon review of the following detaileddescription, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used todesignate like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial isometric view of an upper half of a firearm.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a handle carryingassembly.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a rear sighting system.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a rear sighting system.

FIG. 5 a is a front view of an embodiment of a carrying handle body

FIG. 5 b is a top view of an embodiment of a carrying handle body

FIG. 5 c is an isometric view of an embodiment of a carrying handlebody.

FIGS. 6 a-6 b are front and side views, respectively, of an embodimentof a rear sight base.

FIGS. 7 a-7 d are various views of an embodiment of an elevation knob.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be embodied in many forms as illustrated bythe Figures. As can be appreciated, the depicted embodiments allow for agreater range of adjustment if just a position of the rear sight ismodified. For example, if a firearm is sighted in at 200 yards with arear sight in the full down position, by rotating the elevation knobalone a user can adjust the aim of the firearm so that the predictedtrajectory of the sight system matches the actual trajectory of a bulletfired at a target that is 600 yards away.

As can be appreciated, an embodiment having this range of adjustment hascertain benefits. For example, having to adjust the front sight in orderto obtain the desired range of accuracy forces the user to cease to holdthe firearm in a ready position, possibly causing the user to becomeineffective for a period of time while the adjustments is made.Furthermore, the front sight typically requires a special tool to adjustand the need to carry an additional tool makes it less likely that auser will have the desired tool when the adjustment is needed, not tomention the undesirable nature of doing such an adjustment during apressure situation. Therefore, the ability to adjust the predictedtrajectory so that it matches the actual trajectory of the bullet over arange of 400 or more yards by only adjusting the position of the rearsight can be helpful.

To provide this desirable adjustability in predictive range of thesighting system, locating the front and rear sight closer to thecenterline of barrel has the effect of making the same adjustment in thevertical position of the rear site provide more of an effect on theorientation of the firearm for a given range of motion. Thus, all otherthings being equal, a first configuration of a rear sight and a frontsight that are both positioned farther away for the centerline of thefirearm barrel will be able to provide less of a range of a predictivebullet trajectory matching the actual bullet trajectory when compared toa second rear sight and front sight that are positioned closer to acenterline of the firearm barrel.

It should be noted that firearms have an inherent accuracy and,therefore, when discussing accuracy it is assumed that the firearm willonly be as accurate as the components and tolerances allow. For example,depending on the configuration of the firearm and a cartridge, thenormal tolerance may be plus or minus about one inch at 100 yards. It isfurther noted that the tolerance will increase as the distances to thetarget increases.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an assembled carrying handle system 200that may be mounted to a known firearm. The carrying handle system 200includes, among other features, a carrying handle body 210 that includesa handle portion 212 and a sight portion 215 that support a rear sightsystem 250. The handle portion 212 may include two fasteners 220 thatare mounted in two handle body apertures 221 and are configured tosecure the carrying handle system 200 to a firearm. The sight portion215 includes an upper member 216 and a lower member 217 that define awindow 265 that is sized and shaped to receive an elevation knob 270that, in operation, adjusts the position of the rear sight with respectto a sight portion 215. Positioned below the window 265 is a pin opening280 for receiving a pin 281 used to secure the rear sight system 250 tothe sight portion 215 of the carrying handle body 210.

Looking at FIGS. 3 and 4, a rear aiming point 290 is supported by asight base 251. The position of the rear aiming feature 290 is supportedby a member 276 and the rear aiming feature 290 can be adjusted left andright by rotating wind adjustment knob 275 (to compensate for the wind)and up or down by the elevation knob 270 (to compensate for the distanceto the target). Member 276 may be mounted, in turn, to a pair of sightbase windage screw holes 253. Looking at FIGS. 7 a-7 d, the elevationknob 270 includes a threaded opening 272 that is configured to engage athreaded end 255 of the rear sight system 250 (FIGS. 6 a-6 b).Therefore, by rotating the elevation knob 270, the height of the rearaiming point 290 can be adjusted and the firearm can be sighted in forthe desired range because the adjustment of the rear sight affects theorientation of the firearm with respect to the target, and thereforemodifies the trajectory of the bullet relative to the sighting system.In an embodiment, holes 273 and 274 may be configured to engage adetent, not shown, that holds the elevation knob in the desired locationuntil the user rotates it. In an embodiment, the holes 273 can be about30 degrees apart and the holes 274 can be about 15 degrees apart,although other ranges can also be used, depending on the configurationof the handle and rear sight.

The dimensions of the sight portion 215, which includes the upper member216 and the lower member 217, as well as the size and location of thewindow 265, is limited by the size of the carrying handle body 210.Applicants have found, however, that a pin opening 280 in the lowermember 217 with a diameter of about 0.079 inches allows the use of ansmaller sized pin so that elevation in the full up position can beincreased by 0.029 inches. In an embodiment, the pin opening 280 may bepositioned approximately 0.029 inches from a bottom surface 265 a of thewindow 265 (e.g. the center of the pin opening 280 may be locatedapproximately 0.0685 inches from the bottom surface 265 a).

The rear sight base 251 defines a sight opening 252 and the threaded end255 is sized to mate with a threaded opening 272 of an elevation knob270 that will be positioned in the window 265 and used to adjust theheight of the rear sight. To install the threaded end 255, the elevationknob 270 is placed in the window 265 (which may be 0.385 inches tall)and the threaded end 255 is inserted into the sight portion aperture218. Once the threaded end 255 engages the threaded opening 272 of theelevation knob 270, the elevation knob 270 may be rotated so as to allowthe threaded end 255 to be installed. To provide a desired degree ofadjustability per 15 degree rotation of the elevation knob 270, thethreads of the threaded end 255 and the threaded opening 272 can beconfigured as 1/2-28 UNEF-2A MOD and 1/2-28 UNEF-2B MOD. Such a threadconfiguration allows for a fifteen degree turn to provide the desiredchange in angle of the sights. The threaded end 255 includes anelongated slot 256 (which may be a pair of elongated slots 256) that issized and shaped to receive a pin 281 (FIG. 4) that is inserted in thepin opening 280 and is used to secure the rear sight base 251 to thesight portion 215 of the carrying handle body 210. The elongated slot265, which includes a top 265 a and a bottom 265 b, defines a slotlength of approximately 0.260 inches where the top 265 a of the slot 260may be approximately 0.749 inches from centers 253 a of sight basewindage screw holes 253. The length of the slots 256 combined with thelocation and size of the pin opening 280 (and the pin 281) as well asthe distance between the center 253 a of the sight base windage screwholes 253 and a center 221 a of the two handle body apertures 221 hasshown to result in an improved firearm. In particular, the combinationallows the handle/rear sight system to accurately predict the trajectoryof a fired bullet at a greater range of distances than was previouslypossible when only the rear sight was adjusted.

For example, in an embodiment the distance between a center 253 a of thesight base windage screw holes 253 and a line defined by centers 221 aof the two handle body apertures 221 is about 0.959 inches when thenrear sight in the full down position. The firearm can then be sighted infor 200 yards by adjusting the front sight while the rear sight is inthe full down position. If the rear sight can translate a total of about0.260 inches, then the predicted trajectory of a fired bullet can be setto accurately match the actual trajectory of a bullet fired from thefirearm over distances ranging from about 200 to about 600 yards bytranslating only the rear sight through the range of 0.260 inches.

Consequently, with the principles and teachings of the presentinvention, as described, the known problems of limited range of existingfirearms using a rear sight mounted to the carrying handle are overcome.

Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope ofthe present invention. It should be understood that the inventiondisclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations oftwo or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from thetext and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitutevarious alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodimentsdescribed herein explain the best modes known for practicing theinvention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize theinvention. The claims are to be construed to include alternativeembodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

1. A detachable carrying handle for a firearm comprising: a detachablecarrying handle body including a handle portion and a sight portion, thehandle portion defining an aperture configured to receive a hand, thesight portion defining a window, and the sight portion further includinga pin opening; a rear sight base mounted on the sight portion, the rearsight portion including a sight opening and a sight base windage screwhole for supporting a sight, the rear sight base further including athreaded end that includes an elongated slot; a pin mounted in the pinopening and extending through the elongated slot; and an elevation knobwith a threaded opening mounted in the window, the threaded opening ofan elevation knob engaging the threaded end, wherein the elevation knobis configured to translate the rear sight based from a down position toan up position, wherein the range of adjustment provided by translatingthe rear sight only between the down and up position allows for accurateprediction of a bullet's trajectory at a range of between 200 and 600yards.
 2. The detachable carrying handle of claim 1, wherein the pinopening defines a diameter of approximately 0.079 inches.
 3. Thedetachable carrying handle of claim 2, wherein the pin opening ispositioned approximately 0.029 inches from a bottom surface of thewindow.
 4. The detachable carrying handle of claim 1, wherein the sightportion includes an upper member and a lower member and the distancefrom the top of the upper member to the bottom of the lower member isapproximately 0.813 inches.
 5. The detachable carrying handle of claim4, wherein the elongated slot defines a slot length of approximately0.260 inches.
 6. The detachable carrying handle of claim 1, wherein thecarrying handle body further includes two handle body mounting aperturesthat define a line extending through their respective centers, wherein acenter of the sight base windage screw hole is less than 1.0 inches fromthe line.
 7. The detachable carrying handle of claim 6, wherein thecenter of the sight base windage screw hole is approximately 0.959inches from the line.
 8. A firearm including a detachable carryinghandle comprising: a front sight; a rear sight including a rear sightbase, the rear sight base defining a sight opening and a threaded end,the threaded end including an elongated slot; a detachable carryinghandle body that supports the rear sight base and includes a handleportion and a window, the handle portion defining an aperture configuredto receive a hand, and the detachable carrying handle body furtherincluding a pin opening positioned below the window; a pin positioned inthe pin opening and extending through the slot in the threaded end; andan elevation knob positioned in the window, the elevation knob includinga threaded opening mated with the threaded end of the rear sight base,wherein the elevation knob is configured to translate the rear sightbased from a down position to an up position, wherein the range ofadjustment provided by translating the rear sight only between the downand up position allows for accurate prediction of a bullet's trajectoryat a range between 200 and 600 yards.
 9. The firearm of claim 8, whereinthe pin opening defines a diameter of approximately 0.079 inches. 10.The firearm of claim 9, wherein the carrying handle body includes twohandle body mounting apertures that define a line passing through thecenter of the two handle body mounting apertures and a center of the pinopening is positioned approximately 0.017 inches from the line.
 11. Thefirearm of claim 10, wherein the elevation knob is used to adjust theheight of the rear sight base over a range of 0.260 inches.
 12. Thefirearm of claim 8, wherein the sight portion includes an upper memberand a lower member and the distance from the top of the upper member tothe bottom of the lower member is approximately 0.813 inches.
 13. Asystem for detachably supporting and aiming a firearm, comprising: adetachable carrying handle body configured to mount to a firearm, thedetachable carrying handle body comprising a handle portion, the handleportion defining an aperture configured to receive a hand, a sightportion that includes a sight portion aperture, and a lower member thatincludes a pin opening and a window with a bottom surface; an elevationknob with a threaded opening positioned in the window; a rear sightincluding a rear sight base with two sight base windage screw holes anda member extending between the two sight base windage screw holes, themember supporting a rear aiming point, the rear sight further includinga threaded end with an elongated slot, the threaded end positioned inthe sight portion aperture and engaging the threaded opening of theelevation knob; and a pin extending through the pin opening and throughthe slot so as to secure the rear sight to the sight portion, whereinthe system, when in operation, allows for accurate prediction of abullet's trajectory at a range of between 200 and 600 yards byadjustment of only the rear sight.
 14. The system of claim 13, whereinthe pin opening is about 0.079 inches in diameter and wherein a top ofthe elongated slot is positioned approximately 0.749 inches from acenter of the two sight based apertures.
 15. The system of claim 13,wherein the threaded end and the threaded opening have 1/2-28 threads.16. The system of claim 13, wherein the two sight base windage screwholes include centers that are less than 1.0 inches away from a linedefined by two handle body mounting aperture centers and the rear sightis configured to translate approximately 0.260 inches.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the centers of the two sight base windage screw holesare approximately 0.959 inches above the line defined by the two handlebody mounting aperture centers when the rear sight is in a full downposition.